Poor playback Pre-recorded tape playback picture is wavy/jittery. Tracking adjustment does not fix it. Have cleaned heads with a wet cleaner. Sometimes looks like TV vertical hold is out of whack but is not. Cable TV goes through VCR but no problems with that picture. The really wierd thing is when I have a blue screen on the TV for the VCR mode, the blue screen is also showing a wavy section when the tape is not playing.

If you are experiencing issues with the playback on your Yashica Samurai Video 8 KX-77 Video Camera Recorder, here are a few troubleshooting steps you can try:

1. Clean the playback heads: Use a head-cleaning cassette or a cotton swab moistened with isopropyl alcohol to gently clean the playback heads. Dirty heads can cause playback issues and poor picture quality.
2. Check the tapes: Ensure that the video tapes you are trying to play are in good condition and not damaged. Inspect the tape for any signs of damage or deformation that could affect playback. If the tapes are damaged, you may need to try a different tape or have the damaged tapes repaired.
3. Adjust the tracking: Use the tracking control on the camera recorder to adjust the playback tracking. The tracking control helps align the playback heads with the tape tracks for optimal playback quality. Experiment with adjusting the tracking to see if it improves the picture quality.
4. Test with different tapes: If possible, try playing different video tapes to see if the issue persists. This will help determine if the problem is specific to certain tapes or if it is a broader issue with the camera recorder itself.
5. Seek professional service: If the above steps do not resolve the issue, it may be necessary to seek professional repair or servicing for the camera recorder. Contact a reputable camera repair shop or the manufacturer's customer support for assistance.

It is possible that the heads in your JVC video camera need cleaning, especially if the playback picture looks distorted and similar to a VHS tape played on a player with dirty heads. Dirty or worn-out heads can cause playback issues, including poor picture quality, distorted images, and tracking problems.
To clean the heads in your JVC video camera, you can try the following steps:

1. Purchase a head cleaning cassette: You can find head cleaning cassettes online or in electronics stores. Make sure to get one that is compatible with your JVC video camera.
2. Insert the cleaning cassette: Open the tape compartment on your JVC video camera and insert the head cleaning cassette. Close the tape compartment.
3. Run the cleaning tape: Press the play button on your JVC video camera to run the cleaning tape. The cleaning tape will clean the video heads as it plays.
4. Eject the cleaning tape: Once the cleaning tape has finished playing, eject it from your JVC video camera.
5. Test your tapes: Try playing your tapes again to see if the picture quality has improved.

If cleaning the heads does not solve the problem, it is possible that there is a more serious issue with your JVC video camera.

Poor tracking possibly caused by a dirty video heads. I would use a head cleaning tape. Then adjust the tracking controls for best picture.

When was the last time you ran the "head cleaning" tape in the machine? As tape collects dust and dirt - it gets deposited on the recording and playback heads. This ruins playback and recording quality. Also, since tape is magnetic - they tend to magnetize the heads, too (just like reel to reel, 8 track & cassette player / recorders). Demagnetizing them will help too. Here are links to both products:

head cleaner

head demagetizer

Bad recording VHS or old VHS tapes,will sometimes causes this problems,because of degrading magnatic tapes.Sorry this problems,u did the fixed adjusting manual tracking,that it not fixing the problems,sorry that all u will getting that kind of quality of picture.

You may have damaged the heads if your cleaner tape was old and dryed out and had grit on it, buy a new camera head cleaning tape for a start, never rewind it as lots of folk do, if you do that all you do is put the old dirt back on the head.

No, it's auto tracking on that model. Check the condition of the tape you are recording on.
If its old it will record in poor quality, also try running a tape head cleaner, a wet one is best.
If that solves the problem for a while, say 3 or 4 plays, then it returns then the tapes are old and probably not usable.
I hope this helps.

Could be tracking, dirty / faulty heads, or mis-alligned guide rollers.

First,adjust the tracking on the player during playback. This is done by pressing P+ or P- on the remote control.

If this doesn't work, use a video head cleaner. This consists of a video cassette and fluid. Follow the instructions with the cleaner.

If this still doesn't help, and you are confident in opening up the VR550, you could cleaner the heads manually.

Disconnect from the mains.

Remove the screws from the back and sides of the VCR.
Gently ease the lid off the machine.
Locate the large silver coloured head drum towards the back of the machine. There are four small receptors around the side of the drum. These are the video heads.
Take a small piece of clean white paper about 1.5 inches square. (Copier paper)
Hold the paper square over 1 finger and rub each head in turn. Keep the head near the centre of the paper so as not to catch the heads with the edges of the paper.
Check the paper for dirt from the heads.
Reconnect the player and try a tape. If the problem is still there, try cleaning again.

If none of this works, insert a tape NOT recorded on this machine (Mis-alligned rollers affect recording as well as playback) and play. Locate the rollers which guide the tape around the mechanism. Particulary either side of the head drum.

The rollers have adjustments on the top, which can be turned to move the guide up and down slightly. This is a fiddly job, and over adjustment could cause the tape edge to be damaged.
Adjust the rollers to get a clear picture. It is mainly trial and error.


If all fails then the video is probably destined for the skip.

If you need a replacement, www.cheapestelectrical.co.uk , will sell you a VR550 at a very good price.

Do you have a tracking control on the
vcr if you do it should be centered during
record It can be adjusted during playback
to clear up the picture adjust it for the best
picture

If you dont have a tracking control on the
vcr then it may require a mechanical adjustment
of the backtension or guidepost which requires
special tools to perform

First, try head cleaning by trained technician. Tech will clean manually with cleaning chemical each head to make sure video heads are performing 100%. Otherwise, they will probably quotes you for tracking adjustment. Head cleaning is typically around $25-50. Tracking adjustment might cost you around $100-200 in US depending on service time.